Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is back in John Schneider's lineup, and that is the biggest change on the Blue Jays' card as they go for a series win over the Marlins.
That return matters right away because Guerrero had missed the last 2 games after taking a pitch off the inside of his right elbow. Now Toronto gets its best bat back in the middle of the order at the right time.
Nathan Lukes leads off and plays right field, which is a notable look at the top. Schneider is keeping a left-handed contact bat in front of Guerrero and asking Lukes to help set the table early.
Guerrero slides right into the two-hole at first base. That tells you plenty about how comfortable the Blue Jays feel putting him back into a major offensive role as soon as he is available.
Daulton Varsho hits third in center field, which gives Toronto speed, left-handed balance, and another hitter who can change the game in one swing. Jesús Sánchez bats cleanup as the designated hitter.
Kazuma Okamoto stays in the middle of the order at third base, while Yohendrick Piñango hits sixth in left field. That gives the Blue Jays a top six with more force than they had the last 2 games.
Ernie Clement plays second base and bats seventh, followed by Andrés Giménez at shortstop. Tyler Heineman catches and rounds out the order in the nine spot.
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Why Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s return changes the lineup
This is not just one player stepping back in. Guerrero's return resets the shape of the entire card.
Sánchez can hit cleanup instead of being asked to carry even more. Okamoto slides into a more natural run-producing spot. Piñango can stay involved without being pushed too high. Everyone below Guerrero moves into a better lane.
That is the difference a bat like his makes. Even when he is not homering, he changes how the lineup breathes because pitchers have to account for him from the first inning on.
It also says something about Schneider's confidence. The manager could have eased Guerrero back in lower or used him as the designated hitter. Instead, he put him at first base and second in the order.
Lukes leading off is worth watching, too. That gives Toronto a different table-setter look ahead of Guerrero and Varsho, and it may be Schneider's way of trying to get traffic on the bases from the jump.
So this lineup is about more than chasing a series win. It is about the Blue Jays finally getting Vladimir Guerrero Jr. back where he belongs and rebuilding the middle of the order around him.
That alone makes Toronto a tougher team to deal with this afternoon.
Did John Schneider make the right call batting Vladimir Guerrero Jr. second in his return?
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